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WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE 

GLOVER'S REGIMENT OF MARBLEHEAD FISHERMEN MANNED THE BOATS ON THIS CRITICAL OCCASION 



GLOVER'S 
MARBLEHEAD REGIMENT 



IN THE WAR OF THE 
REVOLUTION 



B/^ F. A. GARDNER, M. D. 



PRICE, 50 CENTS 
Copyrighted by The Salem Press Co., Salem, Mass. 









GLOVER'S 



MARBLEHEAD REGIMENT 

IN THE WAR OF THE 
REVOLUTION 



Deprinted from The Massachusetts Magazine 
Vol. I, No. 2, April, 1908 



By F.v ArGARDNER, M.D. 



Price, 50 Cents 

Published by The Salem Press Co. 
Salem, Mass. 



COLONEL JOHN GLOVER'S 
MARBLEHEAD REGIMENT 



By Frank A. Gardner, M. D. 



It is eminently proper that this series of articles upon the Massachusetts 
Regiments in the War of the American Revolution, should begin with an 
account of the Marblehead or "Marine" Regiment, commanded by Colonel 
John Glover. Few regiments in the entire Continental Army were in more 
important engagements, or rendered greater service. It has the added 
distinction of being one of the first to be organized. On the 10th of Jan- 
uary, 1775, a town meeting was held in Marblehead "to make provision to 
pay persons who may enlist as minute men, and take other suitable steps 
for perfecting the militia in the arts of war."* A committee was appointed, 
consisting of Gerry, Orne, Lee and others, and they reported as follows : 
"Whereas a proportionable part of the Inhabitants of this Town may soon 
be called forth to assist in defending the Charter and Constitution of the 
Province as well as the Rights & Liberties of all America ; and in Order 
thereto It is Necessary they should be properly Disciplined and Instructed 
in the Arts of War. And whereas for this purpose a greater proportion of 
time must be immediately spent by those who are first To take the field, 
than by such as shall Succeed & joyn them It is both just and reasonable 
that they shall be rewarded for their Extra Services." — [Marblehead 
town records.] Eight hundred pounds was granted, and Capt. 
James Mugford was appointed paymaster for the "detached Militia or 
Minute Men," with instructions to pay the money to those only who 
presented an order endorsed by a committee of the town. The committee 
consisted of Thomas Gerry, Richard Harris and Joshua Orne. They were 
instructed to allow compensation as follows : 2 shillings a day to a private, 
3 shillings to sergeants, clerks, drummers and fifers, 4 shillings to second 
lieutenants, 4 shillings. 8 pence, to first lieutenants and six shillings a day to 
captains. Service of four hours a day was required, but compensation was 
allowed for only three days in each week. 

In February, a vessel came to Marblehead with a chest of arms, which 
was boarded by young patriots and the arms removed. These were 

* "The History and Traditions of Marblehead," by Samuel Roads, Jr., p. 123. 



probably used later in equipping the regiment. On the 26th of this month, 
the British soldiers, under Col. Leslie, landed and marched to Salem. 
Major John Pedrick hastened ahead of them to Salem and gave the alarm 
at the door of the North Church, where services were being held. He was 
soon joined by a party of men from Marblehead. When Leslie's regiment 
returned to Marblehead, they were met by the Marblehead Regiment and 
without doubt blood would have been shed if the Salem encounter had 
been less peaceful. 

The boldness of the people of Marblehead at this time is well shown 
by the following notes found in a list of early events : "May 22nd Drums 
and Fifes go about town; fishermen enlisting for Continental Army." At 
the same time the British ship Lively, 20 guns, was at anchor in the har- 
bor. She was replaced a few days later by the sloop of war Merlin, and 
under date of June 6th we read : "Arrived a schooner from West Indies ; 
Glover's; he went off to meet her; the Merlin sent his barge, to order her 
to the ship. Glover refused, and so run her into Gerry's wharf ; much people 
collected to see the fray." 

The regiment under Colonel Glover turned out on the 30th. of May, 
1775, an alarm having been given that the British soldiers were landing at 
the ferry. It proved however to be a false report. On June loth., 1775, 
Col. Glover received orders from the Provincial Committee of Safety "to 
continue the Regiment under his command at Marblehead, until further 
orders ; and to hold them in readiness to march at a moment's warning to 
any post where he may be directed." At the same time, a report was made 
to the Congress by the committee on military affairs, that "Colonel Glover 
had levied ten companies, making in the whole four hundred and five men, 
inclusive of officers ; and about three-quarters of said number are armed 
with effective fire-locks, who are willing and chosen to serve in the army 
under him, all now at Marblehead." 

The Committee recommended that four men be commissioned Chief 
Colonels in the army and "that their field-officers, captains and subalterns 
be also commissioned as soon as the list of them can be settled." Colonel 
Glover was the first of the four colonels so named. On the i6th of June, 
he came before the Congress and was commissioned as commander of the 
Twenty-first Regiment. The regiment was to remain at Marblehead "until 
further orders" and therefore missed being at the battle of Bunker Hill. 
On the 2ist. of June, Colonel Glover received orders to march, and on the 
22nd. they went to Cambridge and joined the Provincial Army, under 
General Ward. Lossing tells us that the uniform "consisted of a blue 



round jacket and trousers, trimmed with leather buttons; and Colonel 
Glover was the most finely dressed officer of the army at Cambridge." 
The drumsticks used when the march was made to Cambridge are 
preserved in the Essex Institute at Salem. 

The following list shows the officers of the regiment upon its arrival at 
Cambridge, June 22, 1775: 

COLONEL, John Glover. 

LIEUTENANT COLONEL, John Gerry. 

MAJOR, Gabriel Johonnot. 

ADJUTANT, William Gibbs. 

CAPTAINS, William R. Lee, William Courtis, William Bacon, Thomas 
Grant, Joel Smith, Nicholson Broughton, William Blackler, John Merritt, 
John Selman and Francis Symonds. 

LIEUTENANTS, John Glover, Jr., Robert Harris, William Mills, 
William Bubier, John Bray, John Stacey, Nathaniel Clark, Joshua Prentice, 
Isaac Collyer and William Russell. 

ENSIGNS, Edward Archbold, Thomas Courtis, Seward Lee, Ebenezer 
Graves, Joshua Orne, John Devereaux, Jr., Nathaniel Pearce, Robert 
Nimblett, Edward Holman and George Ligngrass. 

The regiment did excellent service at Cambridge, and its officers were 
honored with many appointments by the general officers. 

The fact that the organization contained so many seafaring men made 
it unique as a military body, and at this period, as well as several times 
later in its career, this circumstance greatly increased its utility. Colonel 
Glover early foresaw what might be accomplished on the water and upon 
suggesting plans to General Washington was authorized by him to hire 
and fit out vessels for the purpose of capturing, if possible, some of the 
British supply ships constantly arriving in Boston harbor. They went about 
this work promptly, as the following note published in the Marblehead Reg- 
ister of April 17th, 1830, will prove. A list is given in this paper of the early 
events of the Revolution : "August 24th. Company of Volunteers arrive 
from Cambridge for privateering. They are to go on board Colonel Glover's 
schr." On the 4th of October, Colonel Glover and Stephen Moylan, 
one of General Washington's aids and Muster Master General, took charge 
of this work and the regiment was stationed at Beverly for this purpose 
during the latter part of 1775 and until July 20, 1776. 

The schooner Hannah was hired for two months and Captain Broughton 
placed in command. He manned her with soldiers from this regiment and 
sailed from Beverly, Sept. 5, 1775. Two days later, after several adventures 



with British ships of war, he captured the British ship, Unity, laden with 
provisions and munitions of war. Washington recommended a suitable 
compensation for the captors. In October, he commanded the Lynch, 6 
guns, and went on a cruise in company with the Franklin, 4 guns, under 
Captain Selman. Broughton was made Commodore of the expedition. 
They sailed to the mouth of the St. Lawrence to endeavor to capture a 
transport, but did not find her. They captured ten other prizes, however, 
and took the Governor of St. John's Island and Judge Colbeck, prisoners 
of war. On their return, they were reprimanded for exceeding their 
authority, and the prisoners and vessels were sent back, as it was the 
desire of General .Washington to conciliate the people of the northern 
provinces. 

Col. Glover was also the leading agent in fitting out Captain Manley's 
vessel, and the crew was obtained from his regiment. On the 29th of 
November, Captain Manley, in the schooner Lee, captured the brig Nancy 
and sent her in to Gloucester. She was a vessel of 250 tons, bound for 
Boston with military stores, including, among other things, 2,000 stand of 
arms, 100,000 flints, 32 tons of lead, a large quantity of ammunition, a 
thirteen inch mortar and tools, utensils and machines. The Lee flew the 
pine tree flag and this was the first naval victory in which the British flag 
was struck to American colors. On Dec. 8, he captured two other vessels 
and took his prizes into Plymouth harbor. After leaving the harbor, he 
was chased into Scituate river by the British sloop of war. Falcon, and 
forced to run his vessel ashore. A desperate fight ensued, in which the 
British commander is said to have lost half his men, and was obliged to 
retire. Captain Manley got his vessel off afterwards and she was refitted 
for sea. He received a naval commission, Oct. 1775, and later com- 
manded the frigates, Hancock and H'ague. He died in Boston in 1793, and 
was buried with honors. 

On Jan. ist, 1776, when the army was reorganized, nearly all of the 
men of the Twenty-first Regiment re-enlisted for the war and formed the 
Fourteenth Continental Regiment. The officers of the new regiment were 
as follows : 

COLONEL, John Glover. 

LIEUTENANT COLONEL, Gabriel Johonnot. 

MAJOR, William R. Lee. 

1st. Company. Capt. W'm Courtis, Esq.; First Lieut, Edward Arch- 
bold ; Second Lieut., Thos. Courtis ; Ensign, James Foster. 

2nd. Company. Captain, Thos. Grant, Esq.; First Lieut., William 



Bubier; Second Lieut, Eben'r Graves; Ensign, John Allen. 

3d. Company. Captain, John Glover, Esq. ; First Lieut., Joshua Orne ; 
Second Lieut., Marston Watson ; Ensign, William Hawks. 

4th. Company. Captain, Nathaniel Bond, Esq. ; First Lieut., Theophilus 
Munson ; Second Lieut., Seward Lee ; Ensign, Jeremiah Reed. 

5th. Company. Captain, Joseph Swasey, Esq. ; First Lieut., Robert Wil- 
liams ; Second Lieut., Thomas Fosdick; Ensign, Robert Wormsted. 

6th. Company. Captain, Joseph Lee, Esq.; First Lieut., Nath'l Clark; 
Second Lieut., Joseph Stacey ; Ensign, Samuel Gatchell. 

7th. Company. Captain, Moses Brown, Esq. ; First Lieut., William 
Graves ; Second Lieut., John Wallis ; Ensign, John Clarke. 

8th. Company. Captain, Gilbert .Warner Speakman, Esq. ; First Lieut., 
Robert Nimblitt; Second Lieut., William Jones; Ensign, John Brown. 

July 20th, 1776, Col. Glover's Regiment left Beverly on the march to 
New York, and arrived there, August 9th. It was assigned to General 
Sullivan's Brigade. On the i6th. of August, Captains Fosdick and Thomas, 
in command of two fire boats, endeavored to fire the British ships of war. 
Phoenix and Rose, which were anchored up the Hudson, near Tarrytown. 
While they were only partially successful (a tender of one ship being 
burned), the ships retired down the river to the main fleet. 

The regiment was not engaged in the Battle of Long Island, August 27, 
being stationed at that time on New York Island, but their skill in handling 
boats enabled its members to perform a service of inestimable value in 
saving the defeated American army. At 5 o'clock on the morning of the 
28th, Col. Glover crossed to Long Island with his regiment and took 
position on the extreme American left, near Wallabout Bay. Later in the 
day, when Washington decided to evacuate, the Marblehead Regiment 
was called upon to man the vessels and rafts, which had been brought down 
through the Harlem from the North river. During the first part of the 
night, owing to an ebb tide and a strong northeast wind, the men worked 
with great difficulty, but later, th« wind changed to the southwest, 
enabling them to use the sail boats. Fortunately, about 2 A. M., a heavy 
fog hung over the Long Island side and they were enabled to transport 
the whole army with all the field pieces, the best of the heavy ordnance and 
all the ammunition, provisions, cattle, horses etc. During the whole 
thirteen hours, the British were so near that the patriots could hear the 
sounds of their shovels and picks. As the fog lifted in the morning, they 
could be seen in the abandoned American breastworks, but the last of 
the patriots were on the river and only one boat, containing three men, was 



6 

forced to return. The British gained New York, indeed, but through the 
efficiency of this "Marine" regiment, they lost the greater prize, the 
patriot army. 

On the 4th of September, Col. Glover was placed in command of Gen. 
Clinton's brigade, and Major William R. Lee, also of this regiment, was 
made Brigade Major. When it became evident that the Americans could 
not hold New York against the British army and fleet, preparations were 
made for evacuation. Col. Glover's brigade was assigned to the duty of 
removing the sick and wounded, the arms and military stores. Between 
9 o'clock on the night of the 13th. and sunrise on the next day, all the sick, 
numbering 500, were transferred to the Jersey shore, and on the following 
day, all the baggage, except that of two regiments, was removed above 
Kingsbridge. The greater part of the heavy baggage was brought down 
to the banks of the river and sent across in boats. About nine o'clock on 
the night of the 14th, while Col. Glover was still engaged with the baggage, 
an alarm was given and he was ordered to march to Harlem to join Gen. 
McDougal. They marched next morning to Kingsbridge, and upon their 
arrival, having been warned that the enemy were landing in force at Kip's 
Bay, they marched back again, without food, and joined five other 
brigades on Harlem Plain, making 7000 men in all. They had transported 
the sick and marched twenty-three miles. The British landed in two 
divisions at Kip's Bay and Turtle Bay, under the protection of the guns of 
the British fleet lying in the Hudson. The Americans fell back and were 
in retreat, when they were met by Col. Glover's, and five other brigades. 
The united American forces then took a position on the neighboring 
heights and remained there. A large body of British appeared on the 
adjacent height, and many of the troops wished to charge, but Gen. Wash- 
ington refused, owing to the large number of untried troops in his com- 
mand. 

The lull which followed, gave Gen. Putnam, the commander at New 
York, a chance to draw 3,500 men away from the town, who had been 
left, when Col. Glover was ordered away. Mrs. Murray, an ardent patriot, 
did good service in entertaining the British officers with cakes and wine, 
to prolong the delay. 

The next engagement of the 14th Continental and the other regiments 
composing the Glover brigade, was on Oct. i8th. Plans had been made 
by the British general to land a large force, march through Westchester 
arid cut off the retreat of the Americans by Kingsbridge. Gen. Lee ad- 
vised the removal of the troops from the island and had despatched Col. 



Glover and his brigade to watch the Eastchester road on the above date. 
As the British advanced, they received three volleys from Glover's men, 
who, being outnumbered, fell back to Gen. Lee's lines. The British loss 
was large, and the Americans lost a few killed and about sixty wounded. 
By this skirmish, time, was gained for the removal of the stores and the 
evacuation of the island. Col. Glover and his men were publicly thanked 
by General Washington and General Lee. 

Glover's brigade was then stationed at North Castle until the last of 
November, when they retreated across New Jersey to join Washington. 
On the 8th of December, Washington had only 1700 men, but in a few 
days, Lee's division of 3000, under Gen. Sullivan, joined him. The com- 
mander-in-chief then decided to recross the Delaware and engage the 
enemy at Trenton. The attack was made on the 25th. It Was intensely 
cold and the swift flowing river was full of floating ice. The hardy sailor- 
soldiers of the Marblehead regiment were the first to volunteer, and to their 
strength and skill was due the safe transportation of the army. Captain 
William Blackler of the 14th had command of the boat in which Gen. 
Washington was rowed across. The landing was made nine miles above 
Trenton and completed about daybreak. The advance was then made in 
two divisions, while the storm increased and the cold grew more bitter. 
The surprise of the British was complete and the capture of 918 prisoners, 
with stores of ammunition, brought cheer to the patriots. The evacuation 
of New Jersey by the British soon followed. Col. Glover returned to 
Massachusetts a short time after the battle of Trenton. 

Jan. I St, 1777, Maj. William R. Lee of this regiment, who had been 
acting as brigade major, was promoted Colonel. As soon as he received 
his commission he returned to Massachusetts to recruit and reorganize his 
command. The new officers chosen were : Joseph Swasey, Major ; Joseph 
Stacey, Quartermaster ; Joshua Orne, Captain of one of the companies ; 
and the following Lieutenants : William Hawkes, Samuel Gatchell, 
Jeremiah Reed, John Clark and John Barker. In March, Col. Lee was 
recommended to the office of Adjutant General, but he declined and 
recommended Gen. Pickering, who was appointed. 

Col. Glover was appointed a Brigadier General by Congress in February, 
1777. He declined the honor, prompted alike by his modest}^ and his 
desire to provide support for his family. He yielded, however, to the 
solicitation of Gen. Washington, and rejoined the army at Peekskill on 
June 14th, under Gen. Putnam. 

The Continental Army at the close of 1776 was entirely reorganized and 
many of the commanders of the numbered Continental Regiments of 1776 were 



8 

commissioned commanders of the fifteen regiments of the Massachusetts Line. 
December 27th, 1776, the Continental Congress authorized "sixteen additional 
Continental regiments." They were not numbered like the regiments of the 
"Line" of the various states but were designated by the names of the com- 
manders. Of these sixteen "additional" regiments, three were from Massa- 
chusetts, namely, Henley's, Jackson's and Lee's. In July, 1780, a regiment 
made up of officers and men of these three regiments was formed under com- 
mand of Colonel Henry Jackson and designated the 16th. Regiment of the 
Massachusetts Line. 

The military record and exploits of "Lee's Regiment" will be given in a 
later chapter in this series. It is true that nine of the commissioned officers 
of the new regiment had seen service in the 14th Continental under Colonel 
Glover, but at least twenty three other officers went to other regiments, entered 
the navy or left the service entirely. The names of the organizations in which 
they served will be found in the following biographical sketches of the men who 
held commissions under Colonel John Glover in the 21st Regiment of the Army 
of the United Colonies in 1775 or in 1776 in the 14th Continental Regiment. 

COLONEL JOHN GLOVER was born in Salem, Massachusetts, November 
5th, 1732 and baptized at the First Church in Salem, November 26th of the 
same year. He was the son of Jonathan Jun. and Tabitha (Bacon) Glover. 
The family removed to Marblehead when the children were quite young. The 
military instinct was strong in the family. John's older brother, Samuel, 
served as a captain through the French and Indian war and Samuel's twin 
brother, Jonathan, was the able and efficient colonel of the 5th Essex County 
Regiment from February 1776 to February 1779. 

John Glover's occupation was that of shoemaker and fisherman, a combina- 
tion frequently found in colonial days. He was prominent in the affairs of the 
thriving town and held many offices of trust. In 1773, during the smallpox 
epidemic, he and his brother, Jonathan, were prime movers in the erection of a 
hospital for the treatment of the dread disease on Cat Island (Lowell Island) 
at the mouth of Marblehead harbor. His first commission in a military com- 
pany was that of "Ensign in the third military foot Company in the Town of 
Marblehead, under Command of Richard Reed, Esq." This was in February, 
1759 and in 1773 he became captain of a company in Col. John Gallison's 
Regiment. 

The exposed position of the town, the menace to her fishing industry, the 
principal occupation of the people, and the proverbial patriotism of the inhabi- 
tants, all combined to arouse an intense interest in the approaching contest. 
John Glover was one of the leaders in the movement and when he was chosen 



9 

colonel of the new regiment in the early part of 1775, gladly gave up his busi- 
ness as a fisherman (which had now grown to goodly proportions) and gave 
his time and money to the cause. The value of his services to the cause of 
freedom has been amply shown in the foregoing narrative of the achievements 
of the gallant regiment under his command, and we will now continue the 
story of his military career after his promotion to brigadier general. 

When he rejoined the army at Peekskill, June 14th, 1777, he found the men 
in his brigade in a wretched condition. In a letter written to General Wash- 
ington the day following his arrival, he stated they were "without coats, 
breeches, stockings or shoes ; many of them having nothing but a frock and 
blanket to cover their nakedness." Continuing, he wrote: "Col. Wiggles- 
worth's and Swift's Regiments are without tents, nor are there any to be had 
here. I have ordered the troops to be ready to march upon the shortest notice, 
and had the men tents to cover them and clothes, I should cross the North 
River tomorrow." 

Two days later he wrote to his brother. Colonel Jonathan, informing him 
that Howe with his army had quit New York and were marching across New 
Jersey in pursuit of General Washington, who realizing the weakness of the 
force under him was endeavoring to avoid a general battle. The extremity 
of his commander, together with the condition of his own men, prompted him 
to write: "Had people of interest and influence attended to the public interest, 
we might have had an army now in the field that would bid defiance to Howe 
and his whole force. But Privateering and Stockjobbing (I am sorry to say it) 
has been the sole object of their attention. Is it not a shame that America, 
w^ho boasted of her three millions, should be ravaged and subjugated by 18 or 
20,000 poltroons? Rouse, my fellow Countrymen, from your sleepy lethargy, . 
and come forth into the field and assist your brethren, who are jeoparding 
their lives for you, your wives and children, as well as for themselves! We 
must and shall all share the same fate, either freemen or slaves ; if there be any 
among you who plead inability, that ought not to be an excuse ; here is a good 
school ; if there be any that are timid and dare not come forth, (which I cannot 
suppose to be the character of any) let them exert themselves by hiring a good 
able bodied man, and see him well clothed and equipped, then hand him over 
to some officer in the Continental service. This plan adopted and strictly ad- 
hered to, I am persuaded would soon fill the army. How is it possible for a 
few recruiting officers to raise such an army as was ordered by Congress, and 
which was absolutely necessary to defend and secure the liberties of America? 
Every man, who has the good of his country and posterity at heart, ought to 
put his shoulders to the burthen, and bear part of the weight ; he that does not 



10 

ought to be discarded and not suffered to breath American air. There's no 
man, let his abihties and circumstances be what they will, but is able to do 
something (in this day of difficulty and distress) for the good of his Country. 
I have always been a lover of the civil Law, and ever wished to see America 
governed by it, but I am fully of the opinion that it would be the salvation of 
this Country were Martial Law to take place, at least for twelve months, and 
Gen. Washington invested with power to call forth (any or) all the male inhab- 
itants (if wanted) at 24 hours notice ; then instead of hearing the disagreeable 
tidings that our army are fleeing before the enemy, you would hear that they 
had compelled the enemy to quit this land, or had him cut. to pieces." 

I'^e brigade remained at Peekskill until the latter part of July, guarding 
the approaches to the Northern army and forwarding recruits to re-inforce 
General Schuyler. The position was a dangerous one as it was the belief that 
Howe might march north at any time to connect with Burgoyne. On the 23d 
of July, Glover was ordered by General Washington to re-inforce General 
Schuyler with his brigade, and recalling a detachment which he had sent to 
General Clinton, he embarked his command up the Hudson for Albany on the 
27th, and started on the following day to join his men. In a letter of that date 
to Adjutant General Timothy Pickering, he stated that if, as was suspected, the 
enemy had sailed for New England, he hoped that General Pickering wovild 
use his influence to have him recalled in order that he might oppose the British 
in the attack on his native state. 

The brigade arrived at Saratoga on the first day of August and during the 
three days following were "constantly (night and day) in an alarm." In the 
retreat which then followed, the brigade brought away to Stillwater, all of their 
stores "with large droves of cattle, sheep and hogs." On the 6th of August, 
he wrote that they had had "25 or 30 men killed or scalped and as many more 
taken prisoners within 4 days." In the same letter, he stated that, owing to 
the withdrawal of many men whose term of enlistment had expired, the whole 
strength of the army at that post would be not more than 3,000 men on the 12th 
inst. "to oppose the enemy who from the best accounts we can collect are at 
least 8,000." He implored the authorities of Massachusetts to forward rein- 
forcements, writing, "Pray let no time be lost, a day's delay may be fatal to 
America." 

From Stillwater, the brigade went to Van Schaick's Island and a letter 
from him there shows his hopeful spirit: "I hear the militia are on their way 
from Massachusetts — not any got in yet. When in force we shall move on 
towards the enemy. I think matters look fair for our side & I have not the 
least doubt of beating or compelling Mr. Burgoyne to return back at least to 



11 

Ticonderoga, if not to Canada. His situation is dangerous, which he must see 
& know if he is not bhnd, and if he is not strong enough to move down to fight 
us, he" cannot remain where he is without giving us a great advantage. We 
shall move on in three columns. . . . We shall be all ready by the 10th & if the 
miHtia gets in, you may depend on our marching forward that day. Our 
troops are healthy & in good spirits, but poorly shod& clothed, & many without 
blankets. The Hon. Brig. -Gen. Palmer and Doctor Taylor are witnesses of 
this. ... I should have been happy to have seen more of my friends with them. 
. . . When matters look gloomy, it has a fine effect (it gives a spring, and ani- 
mates our spirits) to have our friends to look at, and consult with ; at the same 
time they would have an opportunity of seeing for themselves, as well as seeing 
the pleasures we enjoy in a camp life ; but more of this the next Tuesday night's 
club, at a meeting when all the members are present, a good fire, pipes, tobacco 
and good punch — that's the place to talk matters over, not in this house made 
of hemp (I have quitted my log house mentioned in my last) the walls and roof 
of which are so thin they need no windows, nor do they obstruct the rays of 
light, or the rain passing through in the least." 

In the important battles which followed, Glover's brigade played a promi- 
nent part. On the 19th of September in the battle of Stillwater, with the 
brigades of Nixon and Patterson, it formed the right wing under command of 
General Gates. General Glover, in an account of the battle, wrote that it 
"was very hot till 1-2 past 2 o'clock ; ceased about half an hour, then renewed 
the attack. Both armies seemed determined to conquer or die. One contin- 
ual blaze, without any intermission till dark, when by consent of both parties 
it ceased. During the time we several times drove them, took the ground, 
passing over great numbers of their dead and wounded. Took one field piece, 
but the woods and bush was so thick & being close pushed by another party 
of the enemy coming up, was obHged to give up our prize. The enemy in their 
turn sometimes drove us. They were bold, intrepid and fought like heroes, 
and I do assure you, Sirs, our men were equally bold and courageous & fought 
like men." 

The next general battle occurred on the 7th of October, and between these 
dates General Glover employed his men in harassing the enemy by night at- 
tacks, taking off their pickets, capturing their horses and otherwise annoying 
them. General Burgoyne wrote later: "Not a night passed without firing, 
and sometimes concerted attacks upon our advanced pickets. I do not believe 
either officer or soldier ever slept in that interval without clothes ; or that any 
general officer or commander of a regiment passed a single night, without being 
upon his legs occasionally at different hours, and constantly an hour before 
daylight." 



12 

The brigade was also on the right in the battle of October 7th under General 
Lincoln. Glover's men were held in reserve until the latter part of the day, 
when a part of them joined in the vigorous and desperate assault under Arnold. 
It is said that during the engagement General Glover had three horses shot 
from under him. He had the credit of saving the American army from a bad 
predicament on the 11th. General Gates was led to believe that Burgoyne 
had retreated with his entire army toward Fort Edward and he accordingly 
ordered an advance. General Nixon's brigade had proceeded across a creek 
and General Glover was following, when he learned from a deserter from the 
British army that the entire force of the enemy was in camp, the detachment 
which had been sent off having returned. Nixon was informed in time to en- 
able him to extricate his men from their dangerous position. 

A few days later (on the 17th) Burgoyne was forced to surrender and Gen- 
eral Glover was selected to guard and conduct the prisoners to Cambridge. 
The following letter on file at the State House is of interest in this connection : 

"Albany, 22 Oct., 1777 

Sir; 

This will inform your Honour, that I have sent on one Division of the 
prisoners. Consisting of 2,442 British troops, by Northampton, the other by 
way of Springfield, Consisting of 2,198 foreign troops. I Shall Come on to- 
morrow with Geni Burgoyne, and expect to be in Worster in ten days, 
where I shall be happy to meet your Honour's Orders. I have endeavoured 
to collect Provisions to serve them to Worster ; you will Please to order on 
Some to meet me at that place. 

I am with respect, 

your Honour's most obe^t hum''' Ser^, 

John Glover. 

P. S. tlie number of Prisoners, Drivers of waggons, Bat-horse-men & the 
Guards, are at least (j,000. I am put to great difficulty to find provisions for 
them. 

To the Hon'ble Jer'h Powell." 

The task of guarding the prisoners the length of Massachusetts was attended 
with many difficulties but it was performed with credit by General Glover. 
General Burgoyne, in addressing him later, alluded to "the very honorable 

treatment shown us when you conducted us upon the march." The 

captive army, upon its arrival, was placed under the care of Col. Lee and his 
new regiment. 

General Washington requested General Glover to join his brigade at Valley 
Forge in January, 1778, stating in a letter dated the 8th of that month: "As 
the short time we have to lay in winter Quarters ought to be spent in training 
the men, and endeavouring to bring into the Field in a more regular manner 



13 

than they have hitherto been, I must desire that you will join your brigade as 
soon as possible in order to effect this measure." General Gloyer in his reply 
explained the difficulties which he was encountering in adjusting the pay and 
damage accounts with General Burgoyne. He wrote in part: "To acquit my- 
self from censure, I'm determined to lay them before the Gen. Court and desire 
that a Committee may be appointed to examine them & make what deductions 
shall appear to them to be just, which I hope will give satisfaction to both 
parties. When this is done I have to present it to him for payment & then 
advertise the Inhabitants to come & receive their money. I shall lose no 
time in bringing the whole to a close as soon as possible." 

Hindrances of various kinds arose and it was not until May 15th that he 
was able to write to General Washington that General Burgoyne had paid the 
entire bill "hard money, to the amount of £9244, 2s.," which he sent to the 
"Hon'ble Board of Treasury at Yorktown," and £4098 in Continental bills. 
In this letter he wrote: "When I entered the service in 1775 I had as good a 
constitution as any man of my age, but it's now broken and shattered to pieces. 
However I shall make the best of it until I have the pleasure of seeing your 
Excellency, when I flatter myself, from your known generosity and humanity, 
you will not hesitate to favour my dismission from the Army." "I shall not 
wait longer than the first of June ; at which time if I find myself strong enough 
to undertake the journey I propose to set off for Camp ; but, from my present 
weak and much debihtated state, am very doubtful whether I shall be able to 
endure the fatigues of another Campaign." 

He returned to the army June 28th and was placed in command of Fort 
Arnold near West Point. In his orders for that day he emphasized the im- 
portance of finishing the works, and during his stay at the fort much was ac- 
compHshed under the direct supervision of Colonel Kosciusko, the Polish 
engineer. General Glover was ordered by General Washington, July 23d to 
join his brigade which was then marching with Varnum's Brigade and a part 
of Jackson's command, all under the Marquis de Lafayette, to unite with Gen- 
eral Sullivan in his attack on the British at Newport, R. I. A letter from 
General Sullivan to General Glover dated August 1st contained the following: 
"You will please to proceed to Boston, Marblehead and such other places as 
you may think proper, to engage two or three hundred Seamen or other persons 
well acquainted with Boats, who are to act as Boatmen in the Expedition 
against Rhode Island. . . . Their pay shall be three Dollars per day & their ex- 
penses borne upon the Road." 

He secured the "Boston Independant Company" under Lieut. Colonel 
Benjamin Hichborn, the Salem Volunteers under Captain Samuel Flagg, be- 



14 

sides many volunteers from Marblehead. They marched to Providence under 
General Glover, arriving there on the 10th of August. The army under Gen- 
eral Sullivan then advanced and crossed to the Island of Rhode Island in eighty- 
six flat bottomed boats, the British retiring before them towards Newport. 
The Americans expected the co-operation of the French fleet and the assistance 
of several thousand marines from that fleet in the land operations. In spite of 
their disappointment at their non-arrival. General Sullivan advanced and 
camped on Quaker Hill about ten miles north of Newport. On the 15th they 
advanced to within two miles of the British lines and erecting batteries, opened 
fire on the enemy. In this engagement General Glover's Brigade was on the 
left, under the immediate command of Colonel Bigelow, as Glover was serving 
temporarily on General Sullivan's staff. 

The French squadron sailed on the 23d to meet Howe and it therefore be- 
came necessary for the Americans to retire. On the night of the 28th they fell 
back to Butt's Hill and erected fortifications. On the following day the Brit- 
ish under Pigott made desperate attempts to rout the Americans but met with 
a very bloody repulse, and were finally driven in confusion to the protection of 
their guns behind the earthworks on a hill. Owing to the fatigued condition 
of his men, who had been without rest or food for thirty-six hours. General 
Sullivan deemed it inadvisable to follow up his advantage and attempt to dis- 
lodge the enemy. The Americans lost thirty killed, one hundred and thirty- 
two wounded, and forty-four missing. The British loss was two hundred and 
ten killed and wounded, and twelve missing. The army of General Sullivan 
withdrew from the island on the following night, the flat boats being in charge 
of Captain Samuel Flagg of the "Salem Volunteers." 

General Sulhvan, in his orders issued August 31st, congratulated his army 
upon the orderly retreat and ordered General Glover to take post at Provi- 
dence, whither the sick and wounded were sent. The brigade at this time 
under his command consisted of the Massachusetts Regiments of the Line 
commanded by Colonels Shepard, Wigglesworth, Bigelow and Vose. A com- 
pany of artillery under Captain Peirce was attached to the brigade, "being the 
only troops from the Southward in this department." In a letter to General 
Washington dated January 28th, 1779, he wrote: "I am, from a sense of pater- 
nal duty and regard I owe to my little flock, compelled, though with great 
reluctance and regret, to ask a dismission from the service." This was an- 
swered by Congress as follows: "Resolved: that Congress, sensible of Brigadier 
General Glover's past merits, and in expectation of his future services, direct 
the Commander-inChief to indulge him with a furlough for such time as may 
be necessary to settle his private affairs." 



15 

He did not remain long in Marblehead, for on March 28th, the commander 
of the department being called away, he was placed in charge until the arrival 
of Major General Gates on April 5th. The Glover Brigade was stationed at 
Providence until July when, upon orders from General Washington, the 
march to join the main army was begun. The route taken was by way of New 
Haven and Norwalk to Ridgefield. He was at Peekskill in November, from 
which place he wrote a letter to John Hancock on the 25th containing the fol- 
lowing : "The spirit of reenlisting prevails much. . . . About seventy have already 
reenlisted in my brigade ; my money is all exhausted ; I can do no more. It is 
idle to suppose men who, as they say, have been so often neglected, will engage 
upon resolves of Court. We may as soon expect lines to be stormed and forts 
to be taken by plans of attack drawn upon paper, without men, arms, or 
ammunition sufficient to execute those plans, as old soldiers to reenlist with- 
out money. It is the sinews of war. . . . The whole of the army has gone into 
winter cantonments except General Nixon's and my brigades, who are now in 
the field (eight hundred of my men without shoes or stockings) enjoying the 
sweets of a winter campaign, while the worthy and virtuous citizens of America 
are enduring the hardships, toils, and fatigues incidental to parlours, with good 
fires and sleeping on beds of down." 

In June, 1780, General Washington ordered him to go to Springfield, Mass., 
for the purpose "of receiving and forwarding the drafts from Massachusetts 
to West Point." He was at West Point in September and was a member of 
the court which tried Major Andr^ on the 29th of that month, and was officer 
of the day on October 2nd, the day of the execution. He remained in the 
vicinity of West Point and the Hudson Highlands with his brigade until the 
spring of 1782, when he was ordered to take "charge of the mustering and for- 
warding of recruits." His health had become still further undermined by the 
hardships and exposures incidental to army life in the field and in a letter to 
General Washington dated May 4th, 1782, he again refers to his physical con- 
dition as follows: "Instead of growing better as the Spring comes on, (as was 
the opinion of my physician) I find myself much weaker, my complaints and 
disorders being of such a complicated nature that they have baffled the power 
of medicine as well as the skill of the most able and approved physicians 
amongst us, who now tell me it must be the work of time to remove them and 
restore me to any tolerable health. . . . Your Excellency will hardly credit it, 
but be assured, sir, it is an absolute fact, I have not slept two hours upon an 
average in 24 for these four years past, and very often after severe fatigue I do 
not sleep a wink for two or three nights together." He wrote other letters to 
headquarters during the last two years of his service, in which he made other 



16 

appeals for release on account of his ill health and the needs of his large family 
of small children, their mother having died in November, 1778. One letter 
written from West Point, January, 28th, 1781, is especially pathetic. In it he 
writes: "Duty and affection to my helpless orphan children (for so I must call 
them in my absence) call aloud, and urge the necessity of my making them a 
visit before the campaign opens, or they must unavoidably suffer, being all 
very young, and by no means capable of taking care of themselves, excepting 
a daughter of eighteen who has the charge of eight others, a burden much too 
great for so young a person." He mentions the high price of the necessaries 
of life at Marblehead and adds: "Nor is it in my power to furnish them not 
having received any pay for twenty months past." 

General Washington forwarded his request to be relieved to the Secretary 
of War, with a recommendation that it be granted and on the 22nd of July, 
1782, he was placed on the half pay establishment by Congress, "on account 
of his ill health." He returned to Marblehead and in later years took an active 
part in the civil affairs of the town. He died January 30th, 1797, and the 
Salem Gazette of the following day after giving just tribute to his military 
character, further eulogized him: "In private life he was the warm and steady 
friend, free from every appearance of guile and dissimulation. He was the 
affectionate husband, the kind brother, and the best of fathers. In civil capac- 
ity he sustained some of the first offices within the gift of his fellow citizens, 
and ever conducted to their approbation." 

LIEUT. COLONEL JOHN GERRY was commissioned May 19th, 1775. 
He served with the 21st Regiment of the Army of the United Colonies and is 
mentioned in the records of the army. He was officer of the day, June 30th, 
1775, but left the command within a month after that date. 

LIEUT. COLONEL GABRIEL JOHONNOT was born about 1748, the 
youngest son of Zachariah and Elizabeth (Quincy) Johonnot, and grandson of 
Daniel J. Johonnot, a French Huguenot. He inherited his patriotic zeal from 
his father, who was a "Son of Liberty." Gabriel was a member of the Boston 
Latin School in 1754. He married December 18th, 1766, Judith, daughter of 
Rev. Samuel and Judith Cooper, and had two sons by her, Samuel Cooper and 
Zachary. His second wife was Sarah, daughter of Rev. Simon Bradstreet of 
Marblehead, to whom he was married November 17th, 1774. In 1773 he was 
a member of a committee appointed to wait upon the consignees of several 
cargoes of tea, shipped to Boston, by the East India Company and require 
them to promise not to land or pay duties on tea sent by said company. He 
was the chairman of a committee appointed by the Cadet Company of Boston, 



1? 

August 15th, 1774, to proceed to Salem and return to Governor Gage the stand- 
ard, which he had presented to them. He was commissioned Major in the 
Marblehead Regiment, May 19th, 1775, and upon the retirement of John Gerry 
in July, became Lieutenant Colonel and served through the year in the 21st 
Regiment of the United Colonies. He was commissioned Lieut. Colonel of the 
14th Continental Regiment, January 1st, 1776 and served through the year 
in that command. We learn from a letter of Colonel Glover's that he was sick 
in October, 1776. After the war he was a merchant in Hampden, Maine, 
where he died, October 9th, 1820, aged 72. 

MAJOR WILLIAM R. LEE was born in Manchester, Mass., in 1744. and 
removed early to Marblehead, where he was a merchant at the breaking out of 
the Revolution. When the Glover Regiment was organized, he was made 
senior Captain and upon the promotion of Major Johonnot he became Major. 
He served in. this rank through 1775 in the 21st U. C. regiment, and in 1776 in 
the 14th Continental, until appointed Brigade Major, September 4th, when 
Col. Glover took command of General Clinton's Brigade. He was commis- 
sioned Colonel, January 1st, 1777, of "Lee's Additional Regiment," and with 
his command guarded the prisoners from Burgoyne's army at Cambridge. An 
account of his record as commander will be given in the article devoted to 
"Lee's Regiment." .He resigned August 1st, 1778. He became one of the 
owners of the Letter of Marque ship "Thorn" originally captured from the 
British, which was sent on a very successful voyage to France. He was a 
school trustee in 1781 and one of the "benefactors" of the Marblehead Academy 
three years previous to that date. He was a leading communicant of St. 
Michael's Episcopal church. The Lee mansion, near Abbot Hall, was occupied 
by him. He was Collector of the Port of Salem from 1802 until his death, 
October 6th, 1824. 

CAPTAIN WILLIAM COURTIS was engaged for service in the regiment, 
April 24th, 1775. He had been a member of the "Committee of Inspection" 
in 1774. In the engagement of October 18th, 1776, when the troops were 
withdrawing from New York Island, he commanded the regiment, as Colonel 
Glover was acting brigade commander, Lieut. Colonel Johonnot was sick and 
Major William R. Lee was serving as Brigade Major. He served as Major in 
Colonel David Henley's Regiment from January 1st, 1777 to May 20th, 1778. 
He may have been the "Wilham Curtis of Marblehead, age, 30 yrs ; stature, 
5 ft. 10 inches; complexion, dark;" who was Captain of Marines on the ship 
"Pilgrim, "commanded by Capt. Joseph Robinson, August, 1780. 

CAPTAIN WILLIAM BACON was commissioned June 22nd, 1775. He 
was reported "on furlough" October, 1775. His name does not appear in the 



18 

list of ofificers of the new 14th Continental Regiment in January, 1776. He 
was commissioned Colonel of the 5th Essex County Regiment, September 20th, 
1779. 

CAPTx\IN THOMAS GRANT was engaged April 24th, 1775, and was 
recommended for commission June 22nd. He commanded a company during 
this year in the 21st. Regiment Army of the United Colonies and in 1776 in 
the 14th Continental. He was commissioned as Lieut. Colonel of Colonel 
William Bacon's, 5th Essex County Regiment, September 20th, 1779. 

CAPTAIN JOEL SMITH, engaged for service April 24th, 1775, was recom- 
mended for commission, June 22nd. He had been a member of the "Com- 
mittee of Inspection," before the war. He served through the year in the 21st 
Regiment, U. C. A Joel Smith of Marblehead was a member of Colonel Jona- 
than Glover's 5th Essex County Regiment in November, 1777. 

CAPTAIN NICHOLSON BROUGHTON enlisted April 24th, 1775, and 
was recommended for a commission June 22nd. He had been a member of the 
committee of inspection in 1774. The account of his capture of the British 
ship "Unity" has been given in the early pages of this article in the narrative 
of the exploits of the regiment. At this time he was in command of the 
schooner "Hannah," which sailed from Beverly on September 5th, 1775. The 
account of his cruise to the mouth of the Saint Lawrence in the "Lynch," in 
conjunction with Captain Selman in the "Franklin," has also been given. In- 
asmuch as in both of these cruises, Broughton was under orders from General 
Washington, the claim can reasonably be made that he was the commander 
of the first public vessel sent out by the United Colonies and that he also com- 
manded the first naval expedition of the war. He was 2nd Major of the 5th 
Essex County Regiment in February, 1770, and in December of that year, 
was Major of the regiment commanded by Colonel Pickering, which was 
ordered to march via Providence to Danbury, Conn. He married Susannah, 
daughter of General John Glover. 

CAPTAIN WILLIAM BLACKLER, hke several other officers in this regi- 
ment, had been a member of the "Committee of Inspection" in 1774. He 
enlisted April 24th, 1775, and was recommended for commission, June 22nd. 
The honor has been accorded him of commanding the boat in which Washing- 
ton crossed the Delaware. He was wounded in the Burgoyne campaign and 
as a result of his injuries, resigned his commission. In later years he owned 
and occupied the house in Marblehead in which Elbridge Gerry was born. 

CAPTAIN JOHN MERRITT was an ardent patriot before the Revolution 
and in 1774, was wounded by one of the British guards on Marblehead Neck. 



19 



The people were greatly aroused at this indignity and to pacify them the offi- 
cers promised to punish the offender with 500 lashes. He was engaged April 
24th, 1775, and recommended for commission in June. He served through 
the year m the 21st, and July 19th, 1776, was commissioned a Captain in Col- 
onel Jonathan Glover's 5th Essex County Regiment. 

CAPTAIN JOHN SELMAN was one of the sturdiest of the partiots of 
Marblehead. He was engaged in April and served as a company commander 
through the year. His exploits on the water in command of the "Franklin " 
with members of his company as crew, have been narrated. He was commis- 
sioned a Captain in Colonel Jonathan Glover's 5th Essex County Recximent 
July 19th, 1776, and 1st Major of the same regiment under Colonel William 
Bacon, September 20th, 1779. He was elected a member of the first board of 
directors of the Marblehead Bank, in March 1804. His house is still standing 
on Selman Street near Franklin. 

CAPTAIN FRANCIS SYMONDS was a resident of Danvers. He marched 
from that town to Lexington, April 19th, 1775, as Second Lieutenant of Capt 
Samuel Epes's Company in Colonel Pickering's Regiment. June 22nd he was 
commissioned a Captain in the Glover Regiment. 

CAPTAIN JOHN GLOVER JUN. was the son of the Colonel. He was 
a Lieutenant m Captain William R. Lee's Company in June, 1775, and upon 
Lee's promotion to Major he became commander of the company He also 
served as Captain in the following year in the 14th Continental. He married 
Fanny Lee. 

CAPTAIN NATHANIEL BOND served as surgeon in 1775 in the 21st 
Regiment and was commissioned captain and placed in command of a com- 
pany when the 14th Continental was organized, January 1st, 1776. 

CAPTAIN JOSEPH SWASEY served as Captam Lieutenant in Captain 
Samuel R. Trevett's Company in Colonel Richard Gridley's Regiment in 1775 
He was commissioned a Captain in the 14th Continental, January 1st 1776' 
A year later he became Major of Colonel William R. Lee's Regiment and served 
m that command until July 9th, 1778, when he resigned. He was mentioned 
at this time as belonging in Ipswich. 

CAPTAIN JOSEPH LEE, according to Colonel Glover's Letter Book 
commanded the 6th Company in the 14th Continental in 1776. 

CAPTAIN MOSES BROWN was a sergeant in Captain Larkin Thorn- 
dike s (1st Beverly) Company at the Lexington Alarm. He was engaged as 
Captain at Beverly (probably in the sea coast service) for six months and six 



20 

days from July 11th, 1775. He enlisted January 1st, 1776, as Captain in the 
14th Continental. 

CAPTAIN GILBERT WARNER SPEAKMAN was Captain of the eighth 
company in the 14th Continental in 1776, and in 1777 and 1778 served as Com- 
missary of Military Stores at Springfield. He was the Commissary of Ord- 
nance on the Penobscot expedition in 1779. 

The following men served as Lieutenant in either the 21st U. C. or the 14th 
Continental Regiments. Those of this rank who were promoted 1:0 a higher 
rank in these commands have already been mentioned. In 1775 each com- 
pany had one lieutenant and one ensign, in 1776 the companies of the 14th 
Continental had a first and second lieutenant and an ensign. 

LIEUT. ROBERT HARRIS served in Captain WiUiam CouHis's Com- 
pany in the 21st Regiment, U. C. through 1775. 

LIEUT. WILLIAM MILLS was a member of Captain William Bacon's 
Company in the 21st Regiment. He was engaged to serve April 24th, 1775. 
(A William Mills of Marblehead was engaged November 7th, 1777 from Colonel 
Jonathan Glover's Regiment for three years service in the Continental Army.) 

LIEUT. WILLIAM BUBIER was in Captain Thomas Grant's Company, 
in the 21st Regiment in 1775. He also served under the same company 
commander in the 14th Continental Regiment, in 1776. (A William "Boubier" 
was Lieutenant of Marines on the Brig "Hancock," according to a list of 
prisoners sent from Halifax to Boston, in the cartel "Swift" November 9th, 
1777.) 

LIEUT. JOHN BRAY enlisted in Captain Joel Smith's Company April 
24th, 1775. (A John Bray of Marblehead, probably the same person, was 
First Lieutenant of the privateers "True Blue" and "Tyrannicide" in 1777, 
the "Franklin" in 1780 and commander of the privateer ship "Oliver Crom- 
well" in 1781. He was described in that year as 41 years; stature, 5 ft. 8 in. ; 
complexion, dark.'"' 

LIEUT. JOHN STACEY was recommended for commission in Captain 
Nicholson's Company, June 22nd, 1775. He was adjutant of Colonel Samuel 
Brewer's Regiment in February, 1777, and in Colonel Nathaniel Wade's Regi- 
ment, July 6th, 1780, also Brigade Major later in the same month. 

LIEUT, and QUARTERMASTER JOSEPH STACEY served in that capa- 
city in Colonel John Glover's 21st Regiment in 1775. He was Second Lieu- 
tenant in Captain Joseph Lee's Company in the 14th Continental Regiment 
in 1776. January 1st, 1777, he was appointed Quartermaster of Colonel Wil- 
liam R. Lee's Regiment. 



21 

LIEUT'. NATHANIEL CLARK was in Captain William Bladder's Com- 
pany in the 21st Regiment in 1775, being recommended for commission, June 
22nd. In 1776, he was First Lieutenant in Captain Joseph Lee's Company 
in the 14th Continental. He served as Lieutenant in Captain Mills Company 
in Colonel Jeduthan Baldwin's Regiment of Artificers. In 1780, he was a 
Captain in the same Regiment. 

LIEUT. JOvSHUA PRENTISS was engaged April 24th, 1775 and served 
through the year as Lieutenant in Captain John Merritt's Company. He mar- 
ried the widow of Peter Jayne, a noted schoolmaster and patriot. The "Tues- 
day Evening Chib," mentioned in one of General Glover's letters which has 
been quoted, and the Committee of Safety, met in this house. The building, 
since known as the Prentiss House, stands on Mugford Street near Back Street 
in Marblehead. In 1791, the Methodist Church was organized in the old hall. 
It became the residence later of General Samuel Avery of the militia. Joshua 
Prentiss was town clerk for many years. 

LIEUT. ISAAC COLLYER was in Captain John Selman's (Sth) Company. 
He was engaged, April 24th, 1775, and served until "time out" December 31st 
of that year. 

FIRST LIEUT. WILLIAM RUSSELL of Captain Francis Symonds's 
Company was engaged, April 24th, 1775. 

FIRST LIEUT. EDWARD ARCHBOLD served as Ensign in Captain 
WilHam R. Lee's Company in June, 1775, and as Second Lieutenant in Captain 
John Glover's Company later in the year. He was First Lieutenant in Cap- 
tain William Courtis' Company in the 14th Continental Regiment in 1776. 
January 1st, 1777, he enhsted in Colonel John Lamb's Regiment and served 
as Captain Lieutenant in Captain Joseph Thomas's Company. He remained 
in this regiment as late as April, 1781. 

FIRST LIEUT. JOSHUA ORNE was engaged, April 24th, 1775, to serve 
as Ensign in Captain Joel Smith's Company and a httle later joined Captain 
John Glover's 10th Company as Lieutenant. He was First Lieutenant in the 
same officer's company in the 14th Continental in 1776. In the march to 
Trenton, he became so benumbed by cold that he fell beside the road and was 
nearly covered with snow when discovered by some one in the rear of the 
regiment. January 1st, 1777, he was appointed Captain in Wilham R. Lee's 
Regiment. He held the same office under Lieut. Colonel William S. Smith 
and in Colonel Henry Jackson's Regiment after the consolidation in 1779. 

FIRST LIEUT. THEOPHILUS MUNSON served in Captain Nathaniel 
Bond's Company in the 14th Continental in 1776. 



22 

FIRST LIEUT. ROBERT WILLIAMS held that rank first in Captain 
Joseph Swasey's Company in the 14th Continental in 1776. He became 
Quartermaster in Colonel William R. Lee's Regiment June 3d, 1777. In the 
following year he was Paymaster in Lieut. Colonel William S. Smith's Regi- 
ment, and April 24th, 1779, acting paymaster in Colonel Henry Jackson's 
Regiment, ranking as Ensign in Captain William North's Company. He was 
appointed Paymaster, May 3d. He evidently served as Paymaster in this 
regiment through the remainder of the war, for we find records of wages al- 
lowed him as late as April 23d, 1784. 

FIRST LIEUT. WILLIAM GRAVES served under Captain Moses Brown 
in the 7th Company in the 14th Continental, in 1776. 

FIRST LIEUT. ROBERT NIMBLETT was an Ensign in Captain John 
Merritt's Company in 1775. He was First Lieutenant in Captain Speakman's 
Company in the 14th Continental in 1776, and later was a Lieutenant in Colonel 
Jeduthan Baldwin's Regiment of Artificers. (A Robert Nimlet "age 25, 
complexion, light; birthplace, Marblehead;" was on the ship "Franklin" in 
1780.) 

SECOND LIEUT. THOMAS COURTIS enhsted April 24th, 1775, serving 
as Ensign in Captain William Courtis' Company. In 1776, he served as Sec- 
ond Lieutenant in the 14th Continental under the same company commander. 
(A Thomas Curtis of Marblehead was impressed into the British Navy in the 
Revolution.) 

SECOND LIEUT. EBENEZER GRAVES held an Ensign's commission 
in Captain Thomas Grant's Company in 1775. He was Second Lieutenant in 
the same officer's company in the 14th Regiment in 1776. He was one of the 
"benefactors" of the Marblehead Academy in 1788. 

SECOND LIEUT. NATHANIEL PEARCE enlisted April 24th, 1775 in 
Captain William Blackler's Company and on or before August 1st, was pro- 
moted to Second Lieutenant. 

SECOND LIEUT. MARSTON WATSON was in Captain John Glover's 
Company in the 14th Continental Regiment in 1776. He served as temporary 
Aid-de-camp to General Charles Lee. In 1777, he was First Lieutenant of the 
privateer schooner "Hawke," and in Jtme of that year, was commissioned her 
commander. He was one of the "benefactors" of the Marblehead Academy 
in 1788. He was born in Plymouth, May 27th, 1756. At the outbreak of the 
Revolution he was studying with the intention of going to college. i\fter the 
war he became a successful merchant and owned and occupied the "Watson 
House" on the hill at the head of Watson Street in Marblehead. In 1790, he 



23 

became Lieut. Colonel of the Marblehead Regiment, and commander of a regi- 
ment in 1794. He removed to Boston in 1797 and died there August 7th, 1800. 
SECOND LIEUT. SEWARD LEE was recommended for an Ensign's 
commission in Captain William Bacon's Company, June 22nd, 1775, having 
enlisted April 24th. He served as Second Lieutenant in Captain Bond's Com- 
pany in the 14th Continental in 1776. 

SECOND LIEUT. THOMAS FOSDICK enlisted first as fifer m Colonel 
John Glover's Company June 1st, 1775, and was appointed Ensign in Captain 
Joel Smith's (4th) Company, July 1st. He was Adjutant a part of the year. 
January 1st, 1776, he became Second Lieutenant in Captain Joseph Swasey's 
Company in the 14th Continental Regiment. He was recommended by Gen- 
eral Glover in a letter to General Washington, June 20th, 1777, as Brigade 
Major, and his appointment followed. In the Rhode Island expedition in 
1778, Major Fosdick was one of General Glover's Aides-de-camp. He was dis- 
charged at his own request, March 12th, 1779, and was thanked by his com- 
mander. 

SECOND LIEUT. JOHN WALLIS served in that rank in Captain Moses 
Brown's Company at Beverly, in 1775, and held the same office in the 14th 
Continental Regiment. 

SECOND LIEUT. WILLIAM JONES was a member of Captain Speak- 
man's Company in the 14th Continental Regiment in 1776. 

ENSIGN JOHN DEVEREUX Jr., was in Captain Nicholson Brough ton's 
Company in 1775. He was appointed Captain in Colonel Jacob Gerrish's Re- 
giment of Guards, November 6th, 1777. 

ENSIGN EDWARD HOMAN (misspelled Holman in the records) en- 
listed in Captain John Selman's Company, April 24th, 1775, and served 
through the year. 

ENSIGN GEORGE SIGNECROSS was engaged, April 24th, 1775, in 
Captain Francis Symonds' Company. 

ENSIGN JAMES FOSTER was Second Sergeant in Captain William 
Courtis' Company in 1775, and served as Ensign in the same company in 1776. 

ENSIGN JOHN ALLEN was a sergeant in Captain John Glover's 
Company in the 21st Regiment in 1775, and in 1776, served as Ensign in 
Captain Grant's Company in the 14th Continental. 

ENSIGN WILLIAM HAWKS enlisted May 30th, 1775 as a Sergeant in 
Captain Francis Symonds's Company and was an Ensign in Captain John 
Glover's Company in the 14th Continental. January 1st, 1777, William P- 



24 

Hawks (probably the same man) was appointed Lieutenant in Colonel William 
R. Lee's Regiment and served until November 17th, 1778. 

ENSIGN JEREMIAH REED enlisted as a Sergeant in Captain WilHam 
Hooper's Company (Coast Defence) July 15th, 1775. He served as Ensign in 
Captain Nathaniel Bond's Company in the 14th Continental Regiment through 
1776. January 1st, 1777, he was appointed a Lieutenant in Colonel William 
R. Lee's Regiment and served in it until he resigned November 15th, 1778. 
He was probably the Jeremiah Reed, who was First Lieutenant of Marines on 
the frigate "Boston," commanded by Captain Samuel Tucker. He was en- 
gaged for this service, November 15th, 1781. He also served as Lieutenant 
of Marines on the Continental frigate "Deane," Captain Samuel Nicholson, 
May 15th, 1781 to May 31st, 1782; also on the frigate "Hague," commanded 
by Captain John Manley in 1783. 

We hear of ENSIGN ROBERT WORMSTED, for the first time, February 
26th, 1775, when it is said that he fenced with six of the British regulars in 
succession, using a cane and disarming each of them. He was a member of 
Captain Samuel R. Trevett's Company in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and was 
wounded in the shoulder by fragments of a bursting shell. He served in 1776 
as Ensign in Captain Joseph Swasey's Company in the 14th Continental Regi- 
ment. In November, 1779, he sailed as mate in the letter of marque "Free- 
man" under Captain Benjamin Boden. The vessel was captured, but Worm- 
sted, slipping his handcuffs, liberated his shipmates and succeeded in knocking 
down the captain and many others. Taking their pistols, they recaptured 
both vessels. Wormsted, as commander, hauled down the British flag and 
appointing Captain Boden prize master, sailed for Guadaloupe. The prize was 
sold there. Shortly after leaving that port his vessel was captured. In the 
latter part of 1781, he sailed from Salem in command of a privateer and ran 
his vessel on the Nova Scotia coast to avoid capture. He and his men travelled 
through the woods for some time but finally seized an open boat and started 
for New England. ' ,They captured a vessel from Cork with a valuable cargo, 
by surprize, without arms, but were later chased by a British vessel and forced 
to abandon her. They escaped in their boat and finally reached Marblehead. 

ENSIGN SAMUEL GATCHELL served as a corporal in Captain Samuel 
R. Trevett's Company in Colonel Gridley's Artillery, at the Battle of Bunker 
Hill. He was a sergeant in Captain Francis Symonds's Company in the 21st 
Regiment through the rest of the year. He was appointed a Lieutenant in 
Colonel William R. Lee's Regiment, January 1st, 1777, and continued to serve 
in that organization under Lieut. Colonel William S. Smith, resigning March 
25th, 1779. 



25 

ENSIGN JOHN CLARK (called also Jr.) enlisted as a sergeant in Captain 
John Merritt's Company in the 21st Regiment, in 1775 (May 18th.) January 
1st, 1776, he joined the 14th Continental serving as Ensign in Captain Moses 
Brown's (7th) Company. He was appointed a Lieutenant, February 10th, 
1777, in Colonel Wilham R. Lee's Regiment. He was reported later as having 
resigned. 

ENSIGN JOHN BROWN, served in Captain Speakman's (8th) Company, 
in the 14th Continental Regiment in 1776. He was a Lieutenant in Colonel 
William R. Lee's Regiment, January 1st, 1777. His residence was given as 
Cambridge. 

The following officers served on Colonel Glover's staff: 

SURGEON NATHANIEL BOND was in the 21st Regiment in 1775. His 
further record has been given in the list of captains. 

SURGEON ISAAC SPOFFORD of Wenham was on Colonel John Nixon's 
staff in the 5th United Colonies Regiment in 1775 and in the 14th Continental 
in 1776. 

SURGEON'S MATE NATHANIEL HARRINGTON served in the 21st 
Regiment in 1775 and in the 14th Continental in the following year. 

ADJUTANT WILLIAM GIBBS was on Colonel Glover's staff in 1775 
in the 21st United Colonies Regiment. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRES*; 

iill 

^ 011 711 790 p % 



